E 631 
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KENTUCKY BRANCH 




OF THE 



U. S. Sanitary Commission. 



REPORT. 



LOUISVIL LE: 

HULL & BROTHEK, PRINTERS AND BINDERS. 

1866. 





/ 




KENWCKY BRAxNCH 



OF THE 



U. S. Sanitary Commission 



R E P R T. 



L (M' I S V 1 L L K: 

lirLL A- ilROTlIKK, I'KINTEItS ANli lUNDKUS. 

1 S . 



J{37 



K E N T U C K Y B R A N C TI 

OF 

U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION. 



T. S. BELL. M I)., PivKsiDENT. 

Uev. .]0HN H. HKVWOOI). \'ic« Pue>*. 

L. A. CIVILL, ISecretakv 

ARTHrF^ PKTEK, E.s(^, Tkeasikhu, 

ELDER D. P. HENDEHSOX, 

.1. P>. FLINT, U. I). 

K. C. HEWETT, M. 1). 

\V. B. HELKXAl', Esij. 

U. J. MENIFEE, Ehq. 

(}E()KGE D. PRENTICE, Ksij 

JOSEPH HOLT, E^cj. 



)M EXCHAHQi 
JAN 5 - 1915 



R E P R T. 



Jlr. Pt'i'>iidenf and Jlcinlu'rfi of fltf Conimissloii : 

At your re(|uest I have made a brief Report of the history 
of the Kentucky Branch of the U. S. Sanitary Connnission, 
which is now respectfully submitted to you. 

It was on the 12th of April, 1861, that Fort Sumter was 
attacked by the rebel forces under Gen. Beauregard, and on 
the 14th it Avas evacuated. On the following day President 
Lincoln issued his memorable Proclamation, in which he called 
for seventy five thousand men to suppress the combinations 
formed for rending the Union asunder and " to cause the laws 
to be duly executed." The great loyal heart of the Nation 
responded instantly and fervently to the appeal. Not only <Iid 
the seventy-five thousand patriots, taking theii- lives in their 
hands, go forth for the defense of Country and (Jrovernmont, but 
men, women, children, eager to do their part in the sacred work 
freely offered, money, time, labor, persomil service, any thing, 
((Very thing, to strengthen the arms and add to the efficiency 
of the brave men who wci-e willing to die that the Nation might 
live. Never was there a grander uprising of a free people, 
never a nobler, more spontaneoirs, unreserved contributioii of 
its resources by a great and iht^lligent community. 

With the oi'ganizing power, characteristic of the American 
mind, associations were at once formed for the purpose of 
combining and methodizing individual exertions, and thus 
ijivins; to them a wise direction as well as increased effectiveness. 



Soldiers' Aid Societies sprang up at once in cities and vil- 
lages, as by the suddenness of impulse yet Avith the order of 
forethought and, in an incredibly short time the results of 
their intelligent, organized industry began to appear in the 
generous supplies of useful, timely articles promptly borne 
bv their agents and messengers to sick and suffering soldiers. 

It is an interesting fact and strikingly illustrative of the en- 
ergy as well as of the humanity of the educated women of 
our country that one of these associations, the Soldiers' Aid 
Society of Cleveland, a society as remarkable for its thorough 
system, its business-like character and efficiency, as for its 
thoughtful kindness and its exhaustless generosity, was organ- 
ized and in working order in less than a Aveek after the sur- 
render of Fort Sumter. 

To another of these noble Societies, " The Woman's Cen- 
tral Association of Relief" in New York, may the origin of the 
U. S. Sanitary Commission be in part at least attributed. It 
was the delegation sent to Washington by this and two other 
Societies, " The Advisory Committee of the Board of Physi- 
cians and Surgeons of the Hospitals of New York " and " The 
N. Y'. Medical Association for furnishing Hospital Supplies 
in aid of the Army," — consisting of Henry W. Bellows, D.D., 
W. H. Van Buren, M. D., Elisha Harris, M. D. and Jacob 
Harsen, M. D., which asked " that a mixed commission of 
civilians, militarj' officers and medical men might be appointed 
by the Government, charged with the duty of methodizing 
and reducing to practical service the already active but undi- 
rected benevolence of the people towards the army.'' 

It was on the 18th of May, 1861, that their communication 
was addressed to the Secretary of War. The then acting 
Surgeon General R. C. Wood, M. D., earnestly urged " the 
establishment of the desired Commission as a needed adjunct 
to the new, extensive and oveji-j3©wing duties of the Medical 
Bureau," and on the 9th of June, the Secretary, with the ap- 
proval of the President, decided on the formation of the Com- 
mission. A plan of organization was at once drawn up for 
what was called at first, "The Commission of Inquiry and 



Advice in respect of the sanitary interests of the United 
States Forces," afterwards " The United States Sanitary Com- 
mission," which was approved by the Secretary of War, June 
l-3th. The Commission at once began the work which, keep- 
ing pace with the war and expanding to meet ever recurring 
emergencies, became continental in its reacli, enlisting the ac- 
tive sympathy and receiving the hearty cooperation of millions 
rif patriotic Americans at home and abroad, from the miners 
of California and dwellers in Europe and Asia and the isles of 
the Pacific, and rendering inestimable service to the cause of 
country and humanity. 

On the 14th of June, many persons from various parts of 
the country were chosen associate members, among whom 
were several citizens of Louisville. 

Thus commenced our connection with the U. S. Commis- 
sion. For some months Ave worked on. without formal oro-an- 
ization as a Branch, doing what we could for the comfort of 
the sick and wounded soldiers, and especially cooperating with 
Dr. Murray, the Medical Director of this Department, in es- 
tablishing and furnishing hospitals. 

We recall with great pleasure the name of tbis accomplished 
gentleman, with whom and with his worthy successor Dr. 
Perin and the other able gentlemen who successively presided 
over the Department, our relations were very cordial. 

In the early part of October, 1861, Dr. Newberry, the Sec- 
retary of the Western Department of the U. S. Commission, 
visited our city, and the Kentucky Branch was then rejrularlv 
organized. 

On the 21st of September, 18(31, the 49th Ohio, a gallant, 
noble regiment, passed through our city, bringing quite a 
number of sick soldiers whom, so prompt and instantaneous 
had been their response to the call to join Gen. Rousseau's 
brave men in meeting and repelling Buckner's forces, they 
had not been able to provide for and leave in comfort behind. 

No regular or permanent hospital arrangements liad then 
been made. The sick of Rousseau's brigade had been taken 
from Camp Joe Holt to the Marine Hospital, which Avas very 



6 

limited in its accommodations, and no new hospitals had been 
organized, though two were in process of organization. As 
several of these sick men of the 49th had contagious disease — 
the measles — they could not be taken to the City Hospital nor 
to the Infirmary. We made arrangements therefore with a 
lady, who kept a large boarding-house near the Nashville Rail 
Road Depot, and the sick were removed to her house, Avhich 
was thus temporarily converted into a Hospital, and occupied 
as such for one month, from September 21st to October 22d. 
Sixty patients were admitted and cared for, some of whom 
were very ill but, thanks to a kind Providence, the hand of 
death was laid upon none. 

In improvising this Hospital, which was gratefully accepted 
by Dr. Murray, the members of the Commission endeavored 
to do what was in their power to meet the wants of the earnest 
men, whose sickness was owing to sacrifices and exposures 
cheerfully met and borne for our country's sake, and to carry 
out the purpose, which from the outset it proposed and kept 
constantly in view, to cooperate with the Medical Department 
in its sanitary and remedial efforts. 

The sick accumulated very rapidly in our city during the 
autumn of 1861, from the large army stationed between Lou- 
isville and Green River. The trains brought them up every eve- 
ning, sometimes in large numbers, and not unfrequently with- 
out previous notice having been sent to the Medical Director, 
who, notwithstanding that he was constantly engaged in pro- 
viding and keeping in readiness regular and permanent hos- 
pitals, was thus often obliged to extemporize hospital accom- 
modations to meet these pressing emergencies. At times his 
messenger would come to us at midnight to obtain sheets, 
blankets, bed-sacks, for perhaps fifty or a hundred men brought 
to him in feebleness and suffering and not a few in the last 
stages of disease, in the agonies or the unconsciousness of ap- 
proaching death. It was a privilege to be able from our 
stores to meet the urgent demand and to join in the sacred 
work of ministering to our brave soldiers in their hours of ex- 
treme need. 



From friends far and near came those stores, generously 
given by patriotic and humane hearts, free-Avill offerings for 
the country's altar. Our own citizens and especially the ladies 
of the Aid Societies in the several Wards were ceaseless in exer- 
tion and unremitting in contribution, and citizens of nearly all 
the loyal States of the Union were united with them in the 
kindly work. It is interesting to recur to our records and see 
from how many and how widely separate places these contri- 
butions came. 

In Kextucky. — From the loyal men and women of Louis- 
ville and Jefferson county; from the Soldiers' Aid Society at 
Shelbyvillc, whose liberal donations appeared with a frequency 
and constancy that indicated an energy and perseverance 
worthy of the benevolence of the donors ; from citizens of 
Lexington, Frankfort, Paris, Georgetown, Midway, Glasgow, 
Flemingsburgh, Elizabethtown, Cloverport,0\ven8boro, Greens- 
burgh, Harristown, Southville, New Castle, Eminence, New 
Haven, Paynes' Station, La Grange, Pewee Valley, Saltillo, 
Goshen, Lawrenceburg, Bethlehem, Bagdad, Pleasureville. 
Franklinton, Mt. Vernon, Butler, Catawba, Cold Springs. 
^Voodland, Millersburg, Henderson, Lebanon. 

In Ohio. — From the Cincinnati Branch of the Sanitary 
Commission, the Soldiers' Aid Society of Columbus, from the 
women of Richland, London, Chilicothe, McConnelsville, Char- 
don, Hillsboro, Springfield, Akron, Hamilton, Toledo, Circle 
ville ; from the Soldiers' Aid Society of Clark's Run, Green 
county, and from the Soldiei's' Aid Society of Northern Obi<: 
at Cleveland, that noble institution which sprang into being at 
the first note of our country's bugle-call, Minerva-like, rich in 
Avisdom and fully armed, beginning its earnest work April 
20th, 1861, and ceasing not until the war was ended, and the 
surviving soldiers gladly I'eturned to peaceful industry. 

In Indiana. — From Akron, Attica, Bedford, Bono, Bloom- 
ington, Burlington, Cai'tersburg, Carterville, Cattlettsburg. 
Charlestown, Danville, Dayton, Delphi, Derby, Henryvillo, 
Indianapolis, Lafayette, Lawrenceport, Madison, Mitchell, 
Muncie, Peru, Pittsburg, Rising Sun, Roekville, Saltilloville. 



Salem, Saluda, Tippecanoe, Valparaiso, Vincennes, and from 
the Soldiers' Aid Societies of Delphi and of Jasper county, 
from Marshall and Wayne counties. 

In Michigan, — From Adrian, Ionia, Johnstown, Leoni, 
Niles, Owosso, Saginaw, and from the efficient and admirably 
conducted Soldiers' Aid Society of Detroit. 

In Wisconsin. — From Delaware, Hartford, ^lilwaukee and 
Winnebago. 

In Illinois. — From Cairo, Chicago, Decatur, Eden, Joliet, 
Sparta, Sterling, and from the wide-awake, energetic "Needle- 
Pickets of Quincy." 

In New York. — From Buffalo, Dunkirk, llornellsville, Mih's 
Centre, Rochester, Syracuse, and from the Society, Avhich in 
promptness, energy, comprehensiveness of plan and untiring 
beneficence worthily represented the great metropolis, " The 
Women's Central Association for Relief." 

In Pennsylvania. — From Chambersburg, Chester, Eliza - 
bethtown, Germantown, Hatborough, Huntington, Lancaster, 
Limerick Bridge, Newville, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, whose 
"• Soldiers' Subsistence Committee " generously ma le ship- 
ment after shipment of articles timely and valuable, and from 
the counties of Cumberland, Montgomery and Westmoreland. 

In Connecticut. — From Hartford and New London. 

In Massachusetts. — From Boston, Cambridge, Charles- 
town, Dorchester, Lynn, Medford, New Bedford, Newton, 
Roxbury, Salem and Worcester. At the request of James M. 
Barnard, Esq., of Boston, whose ceasch'ss and most efficient ex- 
ertions in behalf of our Western soldiers tan never be forgotten, 
the " New England Sanitary Commission" early sent us a very 
large and valuable contribution, and never was contribution 
more useful or timely. Very soon after we had received it, 
the Surgeon in charge of the hospital at Columbia, Ky. came 
to us with an earnest request to aid thv; many sick soldiers 
there. We were enabled to fill many boxes for them, and as 
the warm-hearted physician expressed his gratitude, gratitude 
due not to us but to the thoughtful donors far and near, we 
were deeply impressed by the beauty of this systematic and 



9 

cooperative beneficence, by wliich the rills of kindness, flowing 
from generous hearts in far away Maine, blended with kind- 
dred rills flowing from loyal hearts in Wisconsin and Kentuc- 
ky and its sister States to form, under the divine blessing, a 
river of life for our country's brave defenders in their hours 
of weakness and pain. 

We dispensed the stores thus kindly confided to us in ac- 
cordance with the Saviour's direction — " Freely ye have receiv- 
ed, freely give " — trusting always that new supplies would 
come to meet new wants. Our hope was not disappointed. It 
seemed as if the gracious hand of God had renewed Zarephath's 
impressive miracle, for "the barrel of meal wasted not, neither 
did the cruse of oil fail."' 

Experience and the recuvriiiLremero-encics of the war tau'i^ht 
US that the purposes of the humane donors could be most 
thoroughly carried out and the greatest good done to the great- 
est number of soldiers by making as liberal contributions as was 
in our power to the hospitals — permanent, regimental and 
camp, — to hospital boats and hospital trains ; by sending 
promptly large supplies to the battle-fields f(tr the Avounded; 
by making and keeping the Soldiers' Home comfortable and 
attractive, and by aiding soldiers and their families in the 
collection of back pay, pensions and bounties. 

In these four directions we have principally labored, seeking 
tneanwhile to do what we could for soldiers sick in barracks, for 
discharge*! or ' furloughed soldiers coming to us weak, way- 
worn, destitute, and for soldiers' relatives, wives, parents, 
sisters, whom warm aff'cction and intense anxiety for their be- 
loved ones prostrated by disease or wounds had brought from 
far away homes, and who sometimes found themselves among 
strangers in extreme need. 

HosPiTAL.s AND IIosPiTAL BoATS. — When one reviews the 
list of names on our i-ecords of hospitals or hospital stations to 
which we were called to contribute regularly or occasionally 
and remembers that these formed but a portion of the hospital 
arrangements of the army of the Union, he is deeply impress- 
ed alike with the magnitude of the war which involved so large 



10 

iin amount of sickness, and with the promptness and ceaseless 
industry of the organized beneficence of our country which 
filled our warerooms and the warerooras of the other Branches 
of the Commission, and thus enabled us in responding to the 
constantly recurring demands, to cooperate with the Medical 
Department in ministering to the relief of our brave men in 
their hours of suffering and need. This list covers points as 
widely remote from each other as Cumberland Gap on the 
borders of Western Virginia and Memphis, Tennessee, and 
Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, and a long array of names, more 
or less famihar, all invested with the interest imparted by peril 
bravely met and pain and hardship cheerfully borne for patriot- 
ism's sacred cause. In addition to the hospitals in and around 
Louisville, at one time twenty in number and filled to over- 
flowing with sick and wounded men, and those in our neighbor- 
ing cities of New Albany and Jeffersonville, we have sent from 
our stores to the hospitals at Ashland, Bardstown, Belmont 
Furnace, Bowling Green, Calhoun, Colesburg, Columbia, Dan- 
ville, Elizabethtown, Frankfort, Camp Gilbert, Glasgow, Green 
River Stockade, Harrodsburg, Henderson, Hopkinsville, 
Lebanon, Lexington, Mill Springs, Muldrough's Hill, Munford- 
ville. Nelson Furnace, Camp Nelson, Camp Nevin, New Haven, 
Paris, Perryville, Piketon, Shepherdsville, Somerset, Woodson- 
ville — all in Kentucky; to the hospitals in Evansville, Ind. ; 
to the following in Tennessee — Chattanooga, Clarksville, Cum- 
berland Gap, Fountain Head Station, Gallatin, Memphis, Mur- 
freesboro, Nashville, Richland Station, and to the hospitals in 
and near Vicksburg, Mississippi. 

We have aided the Atlantic, War Eagle, Empress, Decatur, 
City of Louisiana, Lancaster No. 4, Dunleith, Commercial, 
Nashville, Ohio Belle, McDougal, Cameha, Dacotah a|ad other 
hospital boats and the hospital trains on the railroads from 
Louisville to Nashville and Chattanooga. 

It is with mingled emotions that we recall the scenes and 
incidents connected with the early hospital-work in our city, 
but no feeling is more vivid or deeper than of gratitude towards 
the noble women of Louisville and their worthy sisters from 



11 

rndiiinji and Ohio, who volunteered their services and were 
unremitting in their attentions in that period of peril and 
anxiety. Those loyal ladies were as unwearied in their ex- 
ertions to promote the comfort of the sick soldiers as if the 
sufferers had been their own sons or brothers ; some of them 
spending hours daily in their kindly ministrations, while others 
permitted not a day to pass for months without preparing 
nourishing food for the invalids, and others still took one or 
more of the invalids to their own homes. Dr. Newberry, in 
one of his Reports, has paid a touching tribute to the devotion 
of these sisters of Florence Nightingale, some " Sisters of 
(Jharity" in name, all in spirit and deed: " I look back with 
a kind of horror to those dark days in the history of this re- 
bellion, when the theatre of war was at the very doors of the 
citizens of Louisville ; when camps were in her suburbs and 
troops thronged her streets; when the hastily improvised 
hospitals, including all the public school edifices, were crowded 
with sick, so imperfectly supplied with cares and comforts that 
every loyal family felt impelled to contribute the tithe of its 
domestic treasures and send its delicately reared ladies to 
minister, by their own personal efforts, to the suffering and 
destitute in the hospitals of the wards in which they lived. No 
similar scenes had been witnessed in our previous history, unless 
in the epidemics of yellow fever at Norfolk and Philadelphia, 
in which the same paralyzing gloom pervaded these cities, on 
which dark back ground were illuminated similar bright ex- 
amples of Christian charity. ' 

As time passed on and the resources at the command of the 
Medical Department increased and suitable buildings were 
erected, and the hospitals became thoroughly organized and 
equipped, the necessity for the direct services of the unweary- 
ing friends in great measure ceased, but to the end not a few 
continued their ministrations, aiding in the grateful work of 
restoring thousands and tens of thousands to health and 
strength and comforting the closing hours of the dying. 

Nor even yet do they consider their sacred task done. In 
our beautiful Cave Ilill Cemetery rest more than three thou- 



12 

sand forms of Union soldiers, whose lives were given to their 
country, and the same pious hands, which prepared nutritious 
food and smoothed the fevered brow, only wait the completion 
of the sodding of the graves to plant a rose tree by each 
precious mound. 

Relief Sent to Battle Fields. — The battle of Mill Springs 
or Webb's Cross Roads was fought on the 19th of January, 
1802, a battle gallantly fought and a victory nobly won under 
the auspices of that unassuming, brave, determined commander. 
General George H. Thomas, whose calm courage was a tower 
of strength to the army in the terrible conflict at Chickamauga, 
and whose masterly combinations and wise generalship made 
the battle of Nashville one of the most brilliant and decisive 
of the war. 

The nuujber of men engaged in the sharp conflict was not 
large, but there were one hundred and ninety-four patriot 
Avounded soldiers to be cared for, and they were in a region of 
country not easy of access and where the comforts of life did 
not abound. As soon as news of the battle reached Louis- 
ville arrangements were made by Dr. Murray and our 
Branch to send the needed articles under the care of Dr. A, 
N. Read, the Sanitary Commission's able and devoted Inspec- 
tor, whose promptness and efficiency proved as invaluable then 
as in after emergencies. 

The battle of Mill Springs was speedily followed by the 
brilliant achievements which resulted in the capture of Fort 
Donelson. On the IGth of February the fort, with ten thou- 
sand prisoners and forty cannon, was unconditionally sur- 
rendered to Gen. Grant. Immediately on receipt of information 
that the battle was going on, we forwarded large supplies, 
which Avere distributed under the direction of the agents of the 
United States Commission. 

On the 6th and 7th days of April, 1862, the memorable bat- 
tle of Shiloh was fought. It was our privilege, in conjunction 
with the citizens of Louisville and the Military Board of Ken- 
tucky Avho entered with cheerful and earnest cooperation into 
the work, to charter the fine, comm.odious steamers Telegraph 



13 

and Fairchild and to send them to Pittsburgh Landing loaded 
with Sanitary stores and bearing a most efficient corps of 
volunteer nurses, noble-hearted men and consecrated, self- 
sacrificing women, under the guidance of Dr. Chipley, the 
skillful physician and earnest philanthropist. Self-sacrificing! 
How justly-applicable, how exactly-descriptive the epithet the 
heart testifies in its pensive, hnllowed and hallowing remem- 
brance of Mrs. Susan Bell, whose brave, patriotic, martyr spirit 
was indeed strong, but whose physical frame was all too weak 
for the trials and exposures of that voyage of mercy. Its 
duties she performed faithfully, lovingly, but her over-tasked 
powers never rallied from their exhaustion. 

It is with gratitude that we remember the privilege we en- 
joyed in being able to aid in adding two well-equipped vessels 
to that large Sanitary fleet which went as with the wings of a 
dove up the Tennessee, and whose presence was welcomed as 
health and life to thousands of sick and suffering men. 

On the 9th of October of the same year word, was brought 
us of the battle of Perryville, fought on the day previous. We 
called upon the citizens for aid; a public meeting was conven- 
ed by the Mayor and a hearty response was made. Three 
large army- wagons were loaded and sent forward on the 10th 
inst. On the 11th twenty-one ambulances and two furniture- 
cars went with their precious loads of sanitary stores and on 
the 17th three more wagons were sent on their errand of 
mercy, and thereafter constantly, so long as there was need, 
large quantities of valuable packages were forwarded by the 
transportation kindly furnished by the Medical Department of 
the Army. That Department then as always cheerfully co- 
operated with us. Dr. Meylert, the intelligent and humane Pur- 
veyor, placing at our service, whenever he had occasion to 
send medical supplies, all the wagons that Ave required or he 
could command. 

It was from the generous contributions of our citizens and 
from the liberal supplies of the Cincinnati and Chicago Branch- 
es of the United States Commission, of the Detroit Aid Society 
and the Soldiers' Aid Society of Northern Ohio, that we were 



14 

enabled to render this timely aid to the Nation's heroic 
defenders. 

Our gratification in being able to send these contributions 
to our soldiers in their hour of need was greatly increased by 
the promptness Avith which many of our most earnest citizens 
volunteered to go to assist in their distribution and in nursing 
the wounded. Cooperating heartily with Dr. Read, whose 
experience acquired at Mill Springs, Fort Donelson and Pitts- 
burgh Landing was invaluable, they rendered inestimable 
service in their kindly deeds to the living and in the respect 
paid to our common humanity in their care for the dead. 
Through the earnest exertions of one of their number, a ven- 
erable man Avho afterwards was called to lay a priceless offering 
upon our country's altar in the death of a noble, heroic son at 
Chickamauga, four hundred bodies of rebel soldiers, abandon- 
ed by their comrades in their rapid retreat, were decently 
interred. 

As we reqall the incidents of that exciting period, we re- 
member with what deep interest was witnessed the prompt 
arrival here of warm-hearted men, faithful representatives of 
their communities and of their respective branches of the 
United States Sanitary Commission, to do their part in the 
humane work. Gentlemen from Ohio, Indiana and Illinois 
were on the ground at once, nor was far-away Wisconsin long 
behind, her accomphshed Surgeon-General, Dr. Wolcott, and 
an able corps of physicians and nurses, having come as rapid- 
ly as the cars could bring them, and adding a new demonstra- 
tion to the many given during the war that under the inspira- 
tion of humanity and patriotism men move as quickly and Avork 
as efficiently as at the bidding of selt-interest. 

The last day of 1862 and the first day of 1863 were made 
memorable by the battle of Stone River. In consequence of 
the breaks made by the rebel cavalry in the Louisville and 
Nashville Railroad, sanitary stores could not at once be for- 
warded by that route, but large supplies were sent by the 
steamer Lady Franklin, employed for the time as a hospital 
boat, and with them wont several of the earnest men and 



15 

devoted women, to whose kindly care and faitliful nursing on 
the steamer Telegraph, under the blessing of God, many a 
soldier sick and exhausted from the terrible conflict at Pitts- 
burgh Landing owed his life and the country the continued 
services of many a brave defender. 

In the month of June, 1863, the large steamer Jacob Strader 
was chartered by Dr. Newberry to take sanitary supplies for 
the army then engaged in its heroic work around Vicksburg, 
work that moved on as with the majesty of destiny to its con- 
summation, but which during its progress was very exhausting 
to the soldiers engaged. In response to the appeal made our 
citizens contributed seven thousand dollars, with the proceeds 
of which and with liberal supplies from the store-houses of the 
General Commission, the noble vessel was thoroughly furnish- 
ed and sent on her mission. The "Jacob Strader" belonged 
to the Louisville and Cincinnati Mail Steamship Company, to 
whose President, Z. M. Sherlcy, Esq., the Commission is deep- 
ly indebted not only for the generosity exhibited in carrying 
without charge great quantities of sanitary stores, for which 
the customary freight charges would have been not less than 
eight or nine thousand dollars, but also for his uniform courtesy 
to its agents and representatives and for his efficient aid in the 
accomplishment of their plans. 

Of the sanitary measures adopted for the aid of the noble 
army around Vicksburg, one has especial interest and great 
significance. At the time when serious apprehension was felt 
in regard to the yellow fever and when the testimony of Dr. 
Warriner, the able and faitliful Inspector, showed that the 
terrible disease was already in the camps, it was determined 
by the watchful and intelligent officers of the Western Depart- 
ment of the United States Commission, in accordance with the 
•idvice of the President of the Kentucky Branch, to send on 
the "Dunleith" a large quantity of quinine with printed in- 
structions for its use as a prophylactic. The army Surgeons 
cooperated heartily and the success was complete. The 
disease, which Avas increasing speedily ceased under the ad- 
ministration of this effective preventive and antidote, and a 



16 

most impressive illustration was given of the positive and 
constant power, which quinine possesses in preventing the 
development not only of yellow fever, but of cholera, dysentery 
and all diseases, due to malaria. In view of the well-ascertain- 
ed facts that a single night's sleep in a malarious locality may 
infect the system and that, in some persons, the poison may 
lie dormant for weeks and then develope itself disastrously, it 
is alike gratifying and important to know that the invaluable 
medicine, judiciously administered, exerts a specific poAver in 
preventing the development of malarial poison. The Vicks- 
burg experience certainly gave very striking confirmation 
of the correctness of the views presented in the United 
States Commission's early and timely tract on Quinine as a 
Prophylactic. 

The Western office of the United States Sanitary Commis- 
sion was established at Louisville in October, 1862. In a short 
time, under the practical wisdom and rare executive abihty of 
Dr. Newberry, all its departments were in successful oper- 
ation, and through the cordial good will subsisting between 
the Military Commanders and the Commission and the admir- 
able system adopted, very satisfactory and efficient arrange- 
ments were made for the transportation and distribution of 
sanitary supplies. 

The attention of this Branch was thenceforward more es- 
pecially directed to the aid of hospitals in the vicinity and to 
the maintenance of " The Soldiers' Home," — superintended 
successively by Messrs. James Malona and Voltaire Scott, 
Avith Messrs. James Morton and E. F. Henderson as rehef- 
agents, all kind, efficient men, — an instrumentality very hum- 
ble in its beginning and unpretentious always, but which ren- 
dered much comfort to the weary and way-worn soldier and 
was thus, we gratefully believe, of real service to the sacred 
cause for which he labored and suftered. 

The first building used, which had fifty beds, was opened 
February 11th, 1862. It was erected and furnished with a 
valuable range under an order very cheerfully granted by 
General Buell, then in command of this Military Department. 



17 

The bed clothing and other essential things were provided from 
our stores and the "Home" was placed in the charge of a 
good man, Mr. James Malona, whose unfailing thoughtful- 
ness and kindness endeared him to the soldiers and whose un- 
remitting exertions often too great for his physical strength, 
we apprehend, hastened his death. 

Ere long the capacity of the Home was found utterly in- 
adequate to the demands made upon its hospitality. With the 
generous aid of the United States Commission a large building 
was erected and opened for occupancy in January, 18(38. 

Notwithstanding the greatly increased facilities for the ac- 
commodation of its guests the Home was filled immediately, 
and it became necessary to erect another building equally large. 
This was completed without delay and, on the 19th of April, 
1863, it was consecrated to its iMmane purposes in the dedica- 
tion of a large room as a Chapel — a truly Christian Chapel it 
proved wherein ministers of almost every name, with hearts 
united in religious patriotism, forgot sectarian divisions and 
remembered the common faith which blesses us all. 

The number of men fed and taken care of at the Home from 
its opening, February 11th, 1802, to its closing November 1st, 
1865, was 268,114. 

Soldiers' Claims. — It was seen, soon after the establish- 
ment of the Home, that substantial service could be rendered 
to the soldiers by aiding them gratuitously in the collection of 
the money due them and gradually, as the number of guests 
increased, this became one of the most important and respon- 
sible duties of the Superintendent and Relief Agent. In- 
estimable good was done in this direction by Mr. James Mor- 
ton, who was connected with the Home for many months, and 
Avho brought to the work not only a willing heart and a vigor- 
ous mind, but also the systematizing power developed in long 
experience as a banker. To save the feeble and exhausted 
soldier, furloughed or discharged, a long walk and weary wait- 
ing, rooms were fitted up in the Home which Major Camp 
promptly and cheerfully consented to take as a Paymaster's 
office. But often, through the careles&ness or inefficiency of 



18 

regimental officers papers were so defective that it became 
necessary to send them back for correction and in these 
emergencies it was a kindness thoroughly appreciated by the 
soldier to have an intelligent and thoughtful friend at hand 
through whom the papers could be returned and the money, 
when paid, promptly forwarded to him at his distant home. 

The amount of money reported as thus collected for the 
soldiers, is §30,268 24. 

At the time of the closing of the " Home " H. H. Burkhol- 
der, Esq., who had for many months performed with great 
efficiency in our city the duties of Claim and Pension Agent, 
under the direction of the United States Commission, was 
invited by our Branch to continue as its Agent his very im- 
portant work. He accepted the appointment and has labored 
indefatigably, having from November 1st, 18G5 to July 1st, 
1866, made up in due form and forwarded to the proper offices 
in Washington 520 claims, having prepared, by way of addi- 
tional evidence sustaining claims, 220 affidavits, having written 
in behalf of soldiers or the heirs of deceased soldiers 1,029 
letters and having collected on claims $23,683 44. 

The following table, prepared by Mr. John Patterson, our 
intelligent book-keeper and earnest fellow-laborer, shows the 
number and kind of articles disbursed by our Branch of the 
Commission, not including of course the large number of 
unopened packages received and forwarded. During the first 
twelve or thirteen months of the war a vast amount of sanitary 
stores was sent to us by friends of the soldiers from various 
parts of our country to be forwarded to Surgeons of Hospitals, 
Regimental Surgeons, Chaplains and officers of regiments and 
companies to distribute to the needy and suffering in their 
charge or under their command. To afford all the aid in its 
power and to carry out the kindly purposes of the donors we 
took charge of the stores and forwarded them to their destin- 
ation. In general no inventory of these packages was kept, 
only a record of their reception, from whom they came, by 
whom sent, to whom consigned and the places to which they 
were forwarded. As the war progressed and the plans of the 



19 



United States Sanitary Commission for the transportation and 
systematic and impartial distribution of sanitary supplies came 
to be understood and thoroughly appreciated and the unity 
and brotherhood of the Nation's great army to be felt, con- 
tributions for individuals or companies or regiments in great 
measure ceased, being merged in contributions for the benefit 
of all. 

Keport of Disbursements from Nov. 4, 1861 to Nov. 1, 1865, 



Blankets, 2825 

Comforts and Quilts, ti058 

Bed Ticks, 3823 

Mattresses, 13V> 

nilows, 11315 

Pillow Cases, 19700 

Sheets, 9309 

Shirts, 25058 

Draweis, 17701 

Dress and Bed Gowns, 1276 

Coats and Pants, 453 

Vests and Blouses, 350 
Towels and Handkerchiefs, 29407 

Socks, Pairs, 13402 

Slippers, Pairs, 1217 

Gloves and Mitts, 3405 

Night Caps, 519 

Havelocks, G78 

Eye-Shades, 347 

Arm Rests 251 

Pads and Cushions, 8847 

Compresses, Pounds, 0709 

Bandages " 0589 
Lint, 

Neck-Ties 215 

Boots and Shoes, Pair.-. 120 

Pin Cushions, 1298 

Housewives, 30 

Hats, 20 

Shawls, 7 

Feather lieds, 7 

Mosquito Bars, 538 

Fans, 865 

Cloth, (Water Proof,) Yards, 16 

Oil Silk, " 13.\ 

Adhesive Plaster, Rolls, 11 

Window Shades, 59 

Lounges, 25 

Bedsteads, 'i5 

Cots and Litter-*, 196 

Canes, (Walking ) 60 

Crutches, Pairs, 970 

Combs and Hair Brushes, G08 

Canteens, 48 

Bowls, (Earthen,) 60 

Pitchers, 32 

Buckets, P25 



Brooms, 140 

Bed Pans, 65 

Candles, Pounds, 38 

Soap " 644 

Sponges, " 50 

Nails, " 180 

Scissors, 36 

Lanterns with Lamps, 68 

Mops, Cotton, 72 

Matches, Gross, 4 

Splints, Packages, 4 

Trusses, 2 

Games, 66 

Hospital Cards, 12 

Straw, Bales, 27 

Spittoons, 259 

Camp Kettles, 9 

Coffee Pots, (Large,) 18 

Tin Cups, 1304 

Tin Plates, 769 

Tin Pans, 123 

Wash Basons, 204 

Chambers, 140 

Urinals, 59 

Knives and Fo k". Each, 950 

Spoons, 807 

Hand Saws, 6 

Hatchets, 12 

Bromine, Bottles. 45 

Chloroform, " ' 188 

Citric Acid, Pounds, 10 

Preserved & Fresh Fruit, Cans, 10643 

Dried Fruit, Pounds, 35198 

Concentrated Meat, Cans, 5057 

Concentrated Milk, '• 7582 

Cheese, Pomids, 1274 

Butter, " 0872 

Light Groceries, Pounds, 90 

Apple Bu'ter, Gallons, 514 

Pickles, " 1471 

Vinegar, " 136 

Suaer Krout, " 302 

Molasses and Syrup, Gallons. 203 

Ale, " 1837 

Lemons, Boxes, 28 

Oranges •' 7 

Apples, Bushels, 649 



20 



Potatoes, bushels 


4174 


Pearl Barley, pounds 


433 


Onions, " 


295 


Farina, " 


1025 


Brandy, Bottles, 


282 


Oat Meal, " 


83 


Wine and Cordials, Bottles, 


5138 


Hominy, " 


413 


Whisky, 


973 


Grapes, " 


300 


Cedron Bitters, " 


176 


Hops and Herbs, (Dried,) Pound 


3 185 


Catsup, " 


155 


Rice, " 


1301 


Pepper Sauce, " 


27 


Tapioca, " 


98 


Horse Raddifch. " 


60 


Pepper, " 


25 


Cologne, " 


38 


Mustard, " 


26 


Oysters, Cans, 


308 


Dried Meat, " 


751 


Eggs, Dozens, 


7940 


Fresh Meat and Hams, " 


2018 


Sardines, Boxes, 


13 


Tobacco, " 


1947 


Herrings, " 


7 


Salt, 


809 


Bread, Pounds, 


3965 


Ice, Tons, 


15 


Crackers, (Soda,) Pounds, 


6607 


Flour, Barrels, 


38 


Corn Starch, " 


1221 


Envelopes, Packages, 


467 


Cocoa, " 


504 


Cap and Letter Paper, Quires, 


410 


Coffee, (Ground,) " 


370 


Sheeting, Crash, &c. Yards, 


435 


Cakes and Cookies, " 


463 


Corn Meal, Pounds, 


2032 


Cod Fish, " 


1738 


Milk Can, Large, 


1 


We have received in 


money |50,185 42 




And have expended 




47,203 73 





Balance on hand $2,981 69 

In the amount of receipts are included the amounts receiv- 
ed in commutation of rations and the sum of ten thou- 
sand dollars placed in our hands by the United States Sanitary 
Commission from the munificent contribution of California, 
whose laboriously-gained treasures were transmuted by pa- 
triotism, mightier than all the arts of alchemy, into the pure 
gold of beneficence. We have not embraced in the statement 
the money generously contributed by the citizens of Louisville 
for the fitting out of the steamer Jacob Strader. This liberal 
donation, had it been included, would have added seven thou- 
sand dollars to the sum total. 

We know that our Branch, compared with some other 
Branches of the Sanitary Commission in regard to receipts 
and disbursements, is as a rivulet to a river, but it had its 
origin, we beheve, in the same fountains of patriotism and 
humanity and, as it has flowed steadily on, it has helped to 
swell the mighty Mississippi flood which God has blessed to 
the heahng of the Nation. 

JOHN H. HEYWOOD, 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



013 744 423 9 ^ 



